Boothbay Region High School

Acceptable Use Policy

Please read this document carefully before signing.
The signature(s) at the end of this document is (are) legally binding and indicate the party (parties) who signed has (have) read the terms and conditions carefully and understand(s) their significance. Violating any of the provisions listed below may result in termination and denial of future computer access. (A downloadble form can be found at the bottom of this page)


Privileges
a) The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in cancellation of those privileges. The system administrators will deem what is inappropriate use and their decision is final. Also, the system administrators may close an account at any time. The administration, faculty, and staff of BRHS may request the system administrator to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts.

b) Secondary students (BRHS) may obtain an individual e-mail account with the approval of their parent/guardian. The student and parent/guardian must sign the AUP to be granted an individual e-mail account on BRHS’ First Class system. All incoming freshmen and “new” students will need to submit a signed AUP prior to using their email account. This agreement will only need to be renewed when there are any additions/deletions made to the document. This signed agreement will be binding for the student’s high school career. A parent/guardian can always withdraw his/her approval at any time; simply contact the main office to revoke the permission.

Restrictions
a) Students will not be allowed to use any other e-mail program such as Hotmail, WoW mail, Yahoo mail, Gmail, etc. Internet licenses, E-mail accounts and computer privileges will be revoked to those who do so. The only e-mail system to be used is the First Class system at BRHS.

b) Students will not use the First Class system to engage in any other illegal act, such as arranging for a drug sale or the purchase of alcohol, engaging in criminal activity, threatening the safety of person, etc.

c) Students will have use of the First Class email system for 30 minutes each day. The email system is to be used to communicate with teachers, colleges, etc. The purpose of email should be restricted for educational purposes and not to “chat” or send “random” messages to other students or friends outside of the school. If “extra” time is needed, the student needs to see the Technology Coordinator who can accomodate any student if the need is deemed appropriate and necessary.

d) Students will not engage in internet “chat” of any kind.

e) Playing “games” online is prohibited while in school. There are some “educational game” sites that are appropriate, but the sites can only be visited while under the supervision of a classroom teacher.

f) Students are not to download any third party applications, music, photos, etc. The use of “flash drives” is also prohibited in school.

Network Etiquette
Students are responsible for their individual data accounts (on file server), email accounts, and PowerSchool accounts. Students should take all reasonable precautions to prevent others from being able to use their accounts. Under no conditions should a student provide his/her password to another person. Students are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Be polite. Do not be abusive in your messages to others.
• Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language.
Illegal activities are strictly forbidden.
• Do not reveal your personal address or the phone numbers of students or colleagues.
• Note that electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.
• Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the network by others.
• All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be private property.
• Do not post personal contact information about yourself or other people. Personal contact information includes your address, telephone, school address, work address, etc.
• Do not agree to meet with someone you have met online without your parent/guardian’s approval. Your parent/guardian should accompany you to this meeting.
• Promptly disclose to your teacher or other school employee any message you receive that is inappropriate or makes you feel uncomfortable.
• Do not knowingly or recklessly post false or defamatory information of the person or organization.

Disclosure
Boothbay Region High School makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. BRHS will not be responsible for any damages students may suffer. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, nondeliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or student errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the student’s own risk. BRHS specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.

Security
Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If a student feels he/she can identify a security problem on the Internet, he/she must notify a system administrator. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Attempts to logon to the Internet as a system administrator, faculty member, staff, or other student will result in cancellation of user privileges. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to the network, and any other computers in the school.

Vandalism
Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, Internet, or any of the above listed agencies or other networks that are connected to any of the Internet backbones. This includes the uploading or creation of computer viruses.

Students will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the First Class system or to any other computer system through First Class or go beyond one’s authorized access. This includes attempting to log in through another person’s account or access to another person’s files. These actions are illegal, even if only for the purposes of “browsing”.....which of course is not allowed. This applies to students’ email accounts, file server accounts and PowerSchool accounts.

Consequences
First Offense: Loss of all computer privileges for 2 weeks. Teachers, administrators and parents will be notified.

Second Offense: Loss of all computer privileges for 1 month. Teachers, administrators and parents will be notified.
The student’s privileges will not be reinstated until after the student and his/her parents have
met with the school’s administrator.

Third Offense: Loss of all computer privileges for the remainder of the school year. Teachers, administrators and parents will be notified.

Should the offense take place any time during the third trimester, the student will not regain his/her privileges the following year without meeting with the school’s administrator. Then, and only then, will privileges be reinstated.